The Gambia Police have charged Fatou Secka, a former employee of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), with five counts of financial fraud amounting to nearly 19 million dalasis. The charges, filed before Magistrate Krubally at the Banjul Magistrate Court, include obtaining money by false pretense.
Secka, who was dismissed from her position at GRA, appeared in court on Thursday, January 30, 2025, to face the allegations. Prosecutors ASP Sarr and Inspector Saidykhan, representing the Inspector General of Police, accused her of orchestrating fraudulent schemes to collect significant sums of money under the guise of selling vehicles and goods, which she allegedly never intended to deliver. She was represented by defense counsel A. Sillah.
According to the prosecution, Secka orchestrated multiple fraudulent transactions in 2024, deceiving several individuals with false promises of vehicle and goods sales.
The first charge against Secka alleges that in 2024, she fraudulently convinced Gabriel Sohna to pay 1.785 million dalasis, claiming she would purchase two motor vehicles and 1,600 litres of cooking oil for him. The police assert that Secka knew these claims were false when she made them.
The second count accuses Secka of obtaining 1.045 million dalasis from Baboucarr Jallow, claiming it was for the sale of two Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles, a transaction Secka allegedly never intended to fulfill.
In the third charge, Secka is accused of obtaining 750,000 dalasis from Muhammed Jallow by falsely claiming she was selling him a vehicle. Similarly, the fourth charge alleges that Secka defrauded Ousman Gassama of 110,000 dalasis under the pretense of selling him a vehicle.
Lastly, in the fifth count, Secka is accused of defrauding Adama Jagne of 125,000 dalasis with a similar false claim regarding a vehicle sale.
Secka, who denied all charges, will undergo a full trial as the prosecution seeks to prove its case. The prosecution requested an adjournment to call its first witness, while ASP Sarr did not oppose the granting of bail. Secka’s defense counsel, A. Sillah, appealed for a flexible bail arrangement, emphasizing that she is a lactating mother with a one-year-old child.
In his ruling, Magistrate Krubally noted that the charges against Secka are bailable. Exercising his discretion, he granted bail set at 2 million dalasis, despite the alleged fraud amounting to 2,030,000 dalasis. The court also required Secka to provide two responsible Gambian sureties, each with stable employment or business, earning at least 10,000 dalasis per month.
Additionally, the sureties must submit a sworn affidavit of means, along with their contact details, addresses, and valid identification. Should Secka fail to appear in court, the sureties will forfeit their bail bond.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM for the commencement of the hearing.
As the trial progresses, it highlights concerns about the security of financial transactions and the persistent challenges of fraud in The Gambia.